Galvanocautery

Galvanocautery

(galvanothermy, thermocautery, electrocautery), the cauterization of body tissues with special metal loops of various shapes—so-called galvanocauteries— which are heated by an electric current passing through them. Galvanocautery is used to destroy and remove small benign tumors, separate concretions and adhesions formed between tissues and organs in the process of disease, arrest hemorrhaging from the tiniest blood vessels (the capillaries), burn out tattoos, and so forth. The sources of current may be either galvanic or storage batteries or utility power lines transformed to a voltage of 2-4 volts at an intensity of 20 milliamperes.

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